Fazoli's Appoints New CMO, VP of Operations

Fazoli’s, America’s largest fast-casual Italian restaurant chain, welcomed a new chief marketing officer and vice president of operations. It also announced several other human resources changes to support its aggressive expansion strategy.

The hires come as Fazoli’s enters a new growth stage amid record sales. The brand was acquired last year by Sentinel Capital Partners, which has put it on the franchising fast track.

Donna Josephson is Fazoli’s new chief marketing officer, a position she previously held at the 351-unit McAlister’s Deli. Josephson brings over 20 years of progressive brand management and marketing leadership with iconic restaurant brands, such as Wendy’s, Applebee’s, and Chick-fil-A.

Tom Pleiman joins Fazoli’s as vice president of company operations, a role he previously held with Pizza Hut franchisee La Raza Pizza Inc. Pleiman will lead the training and guest services departments, as well as oversee the newly created director of off-premises sales position.

Fazoli’s previous vice president of operations, Scott Sir Louis, assumed the newly created position of vice president of strategy and continuous improvement. Sir Louis will work with senior leadership to develop, prioritize, and implement new strategies to drive the future generation of Fazoli’s.

Steve Bailey joins Fazoli’s as senior director of Franchise Sales, a newly created position. He previously held a similar post at Sonic.

“Our goal is to make Fazoli’s better for our guests, our employees, and our franchisees, which will in turn fuel our growth,” says president and CEO Carl Howard. “These individuals will all play an important role in accomplishing that, and we are thrilled to have them on board.”

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